Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-08-20
" SHIP ON FIRE!"
The Steamer Getty of Mon
treal" AblaZe.
FEARFUL AND TRAGIC SCENE.
Furious Flames and Raging Seas
Arrival of the "YOrk
City"-Rescued.

| Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD.E
LONDON, August 19.-The Inman
line steamer, City OF Montreal has
been burned at sea, and thirteen per-
sons have perished. The Montreal
left New York on August 9th for Liv-
erpool, commanded by Captain Land.
The news of the destruction was
learned upon the arrival at Queens
town this morning, of the British
steamer York City, Captain Benn,
which left Baltimore August 4th for
London. This steamer rescued the
survivors from the burning vessel
and took them to Queenstown.
DATE OF THE DISASTER.
The burning of the steamer occur
red on the 11th instant, five days after
she left New York A boat contain
ing six passengers, and seven MEM
bers of the crew is missing.
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
The fire originated in the cotton
streams of water were soon working
on the flames and the course of the
vessel was changed for Newfoundland,
400 miles distant The flames spread
with rapidity, and soon burst out with
terrific force through the midway and
after hatchways. The heat was in
tense. The steamer had 420 passen-
gers on board.
A SURVIVORS, STORY.
1t is learned that shortly after the
passengers had gone to bed on the
night of the 10th they were aroused
be the alarm of fire. A scene of con-
sternation ensued, and the passengers
were greatly terrified. The smoke
caused by the fire was suffocat-
ing, nevertheless the passengers
dressed and went on deck.
PANIC-sTRICKEN.
1t being apparent that it was impos-
sible to save the ship momentary
panic ensued. Boats were lowered
and passengers and crew got into
them.
THEIR MEANS OF ESCAPE.
The boats were eight in number and
consisted of four life-boats and a pin
mace. These were launched and
stocked with provisions. The flames
spread with fierceness, and the efforts
to quench them were soon found
futile.
SAD SIGHT.
At O'Clock in the morning the pas
sengers were marshaled on deck pre-
parator. to entering the boats. Many
were weeping, but on the whole they
were quiet and orderly. Family groups
presented a sight pitiful to see as they
| huddled in fear and trembling.
PERILoUs POSITION.
There was heavy sea running and
it was with difficulty that their boats
We're kept from being smashed. The
crew worked splendidly and the pas
sengers were placed in the boats in a
comparatively short time.
ONE BOAT swAMPED.
The boats soon settled, and one en-
tirely vanished. This contained two
stewards, two seamen and seven
passengers, and there is but little
doubt that the whole boatload per-
ished.
A bark was sighted shortly after the
boats left the steamer, and her crew
were preparing to pick up the sur
vivors, when the steamer York City,
attracted by the flames of the burning
vessel, which were shooting up 100
feet in the air, bore down, and with
difficulty took all on board.
CORDIALLY RECEIVED.
The rescued people were treated
with the utmost kindness by the Cap
tain and crew of the York City, and
the passengers speak with feeling OF
the consideration which was accorded
them.
HONOR TO THE BRAVE.
The survivors are unanimous in de-
claring that the officers and crew of
the City of Montreal did the best that
they could, nobly and skillfully.
VALUE OF THE STEAMER.
The steamer was worth $500, 900;
amount of insurance is not known.
The cargo was principally cotton, lard
and oil. The vessel was used for first
class travel and had made ia voyages.
LANDS RECORD.
Captain Land has been in the SER
vice of the line for twenty-five years
and is considered one of the most
careful transatlantic Captains. There
is no idea how the fire broke ou'.